# Whats this strange ticking sound in my house? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 31, 2010, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428 "2010-03-31T05:24:30Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![antechinus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/fbc32d/32.png) [@antechinus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/antechinus)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 12:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/41 "2014-04-12T12:56:18Z")
For those that stumble across this thread via google, the answer to this mystery is that the clicking sound originated from a psocid. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 2:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/42 "2014-04-12T14:08:12Z")
> [@antechinus](#): > > For those that stumble across this thread via google, the answer to this mystery is that the clicking sound originated from a psocid. Killjoy. ---
**Author:** ![bibliophage](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bibliophage/32/7615_2.png) [@bibliophage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bibliophage)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/43 "2014-04-12T14:13:31Z")
> [@antechinus](#): > > For those that stumble across this thread via google, the answer to this mystery is that the clicking sound originated from a psocid. Sure. That’s just what they want us to think. People, do not be deceived! Antechinus has been “managed” by governmental forces and will now say anything to bury the truth. ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 2:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/44 "2014-04-12T14:40:12Z")
If it’s a ticking sound it’s obviously a tick. ---
**Author:** ![Leo\_Bloom](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leo_bloom/32/10377_2.png) [@Leo\_Bloom](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leo_Bloom)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 3:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/45 "2014-04-12T15:09:50Z")
> [@antechinus](#): > > For those that stumble across this thread via google, the answer to this mystery is that the clicking sound originated from a psocid. What prompted this resurrection? ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [April 12, 2014, 5:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/46 "2014-04-12T17:18:42Z")
> [@Leo\_Bloom](#): > > What prompted this resurrection? It’s a ticking time bomb. ---
**Author:** ![Zeeky61](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/7993a0/32.png) [@Zeeky61](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeeky61)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 7:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/47 "2016-05-23T07:46:50Z")
> [@bonnell777](#): > > i have been hearing a series of clicking noises in my house for a long time and when i would go to where i would hear the noise there is nothing there that could possibly make the noise it seems to move around the house last night i heard the clicking noise right beside my ear twice and when i looked there was nothing there then i heard it behind me at the bedroom door then again in the bedroom as im from ireland i dont think we have the same insects to explain the noise that was the first time i heard it next to my ear as i was sleeping on the couch it couldnt have been an insect its freaking me out to be honest it has been happening on and off for a long time i took no notice till i heard it last night beside me im been honest no bullshit. as i was lying on the couch i fell asleep i was trying to fight off the sleep but i couldnt i just conked out didnt wake up till late if you like man i can send you my email address let me know…bonnell Hi - I realise that these posts are from some years ago - yet I too have heard the soft tick tick tick sound in my home. Way way back in 1982!! It would wake my little 3 year old son during the night and scare him so much that he would race into our bed, wide eyed and shaking. My ex husband and I were renting a house for 18 months (we even asked a priest come and assist us) he was sceptical and although he did not hear it he did splash some holy water about…anyway - We decided to move into another home due to a job change within the same city. My sister moved in to help us with finances…We ALL heard the ticking about a week later. It moved from room to room and when one of us attempted to ‘track it down’ by stepping into the area of the ticking - the ticking would seem to move to the other side of our body - stop for a time and then start up again. It would stop for about 30 seconds - then start up again. It was just audible to record. We initially thought it may have been a metre behind the wall. But most definitely, the tick tick tick was the same noise level and timing as in the previous house. We started to get used to the ticking as it was not always about. It liked the evenings while we watched TV and usually during the early morning just before light. Well… it was some years later - 1988 and we were vacationing with friends on a farm. We pitched our tent and that night I was placing my 7 month old (number 3 son) down into his sleeping cot - and what do you know ‘tick tick tick’ right in my face as I bent to place the lad down onto the cushions. It freaked me out. I left the tent with the child and was most unsettled for the rest of the vacation. I never heard it again. Present day is 2016. I’m into another relationship of 22 years. I did hear sometime ago that my ex husbands sister started to hear the ticking in her home. She lived in another city kilometres away from us. Same description. Soft tick that moved when sort and when left uninterrupted - lasted for periods of 2 /3 minutes at a time. odd. comments? ---
**Author:** ![Ranger\_Jeff](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ranger_jeff/32/2065_2.png) [@Ranger\_Jeff](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ranger_Jeff)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/48 "2016-05-23T08:32:40Z")
A friend heard a tapping in her garage. She investigated and discovered a field mouse trying to crack open an acorn against an aluminum ladder. She caught the mouse, put it in a terrarium and had a fairly clean and quite pet for a number of years. And the beastie became fairly tame too, I understand. ---
**Author:** ![Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/channing_idaho_banks/32/250_2.png) [@Channing\_Idaho\_Banks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Channing_Idaho_Banks)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/49 "2016-05-23T11:31:00Z")
Water dripping in a drain pipe can cause ticking sounds inside a wall. ---
**Author:** ![Me\_Billy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/e480ec/32.png) [@Me\_Billy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Me_Billy)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 2:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/50 "2016-05-23T14:45:14Z")
Refrigerator ice maker! ---
**Author:** ![panache45](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/panache45/32/64_2.png) [@panache45](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/panache45)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/51 "2016-05-23T15:14:48Z")
> [@Zeeky61](#): > > (we even asked a priest come and assist us) he was sceptical and although he did not hear it he did splash some holy water about… Funny, no one else tried this remedy. :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 3:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/52 "2016-05-23T15:29:49Z")
> [@Mr\_Mooo](#): > > Okay, I bet a million dollars if there is a strange clicking sound a feeling of constant surveillance then your in the media or military … [snip] Great material … I’m stealing this and putting it in my next newsletter … ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 3:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/53 "2016-05-23T15:30:17Z")
This thread has been bugging people for some time now … ---
**Author:** ![furryman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/furryman/32/99_2.png) [@furryman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/furryman)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2016, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/54 "2016-05-23T17:48:21Z")
> [@BigT](#): > > Isn’t this a classic “Need Answer Fast” situation? Don’t worry, no matter how long it takes there will be at least one second on the timer when you disconnect it. ---
**Author:** ![Mlmstrr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Mlmstrr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mlmstrr)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 10:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/55 "2017-03-30T10:55:32Z")
I know the click and it does not sound the same as the death bug or whatever its called. it sounds more like a loose metal latch when a truck goes past and shakes the house. Its weird, not that into it ---
**Author:** ![Beren\_Erchamion](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/90ced4/32.png) [@Beren\_Erchamion](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Beren_Erchamion)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/56 "2017-03-30T15:49:40Z")
> [@the hamster king](#): > > [“snape, snape, severus snape … .”](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tx1xim6q4r4) dumbledore! ---
**Author:** ![VanLandry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/eb9ed0/32.png) [@VanLandry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/VanLandry)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/57 "2017-03-30T16:27:05Z")
I had the same thing going on when I bought my house 12 years ago. It was coming from a wall in the bedroom but I couldn’t figure out what it. Also, I typically only heard when lying in bed at night when the house was quiet. One afternoon I laid down for a nap and sure enough it started again… since it was daylight I decided to investigate. I put my ear to the wall so I could pinpoint the source as best I could… went outside to see if a branch was hitting the house or if there was an animal digging around the foundation. Turns out the noise was from the little wiry padlock they put on electrical meters. The wind was causing it to oscillate and hit the box with a constant tick, tick, tick. I keep wondering what the meter reader thinks when he checks the meter and see’s the lock covered in foam padding and duct tape. ---
**Author:** ![Jimpy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c68b51/32.png) [@Jimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jimpy)\ **Post date:** [March 30, 2017, 9:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/58 "2017-03-30T21:13:04Z")
I heard a ticking sound in my house for years, it was the house settling. The basement walls were slowly bowing in and the house was constantly shifting. That was not a cheap fix. ---
**Author:** ![jjakucyk](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/3d9bf3/32.png) [@jjakucyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jjakucyk)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/59 "2017-03-31T00:46:15Z")
Older (or cheaper new) mechanical lamp timers start doing this after a while. I had some Intermatic rom the early 1990s that I finally had to retire because of the annoying ticking sound (about 4 per second). I tried to take one apart to see what was causing it and how they’re geared, but all the plastic bits just broke and the thing pretty well disintegrated. ---
**Author:** ![snfaulkner](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snfaulkner/32/433_2.png) [@snfaulkner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/snfaulkner)\ **Post date:** [March 31, 2017, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428/60 "2017-03-31T00:57:01Z")
> [@Mr\_Mooo](#): > > Okay, I bet a million dollars if there is a strange clicking sound a feeling of constant surveillance then your in the media or military (or want to be or have been in the past or someone you live with is) I once heard from a governmental source the days of planting bugs in peoples homes are over and have been for a very very long time. today they use a sort of sonar to listen in from a distance, if you go outside at night and walk out to the road while it’s very quiet the chirping over my house is loud to me, but others around me could barely hear it. Sometimes I would struggle with it in my mind I was certain it wasn’t spiritual and that it was a technology being deployed against me. A new form of torture from a distance, hitting people with invisible rays that make their hearts race with fear & trepidation Awful technologies designed by lunatics with deep dark ops kinds of funding. they’ll steal the words from peoples mouths and the sounds they make around their homes (the sound of cutlery being tossed into a drawer makes a nice high hat) package them up as the latest & greatest. while your in the dark wondering why all your words & ideas keep coming right back at cha through your favorite recording artists & movie makers etc (Spy vs Spy kinda stuff uno) you have to pay for your development nothing in this life is free, but it’s nice to think it is…I’ve been were you all are. I know how awful and confusing it is chirping on the kitchen bench top for a few day then in the bedroom & I know it seems like it’s ghostly because it’s emanating a magnetic field which can make your hair stand on end. (ghostly/supernatural phenomena is more subtle in it’s frequency to me) Lol I noticed the chirping technology being used at the hospital the other day tracking everyone who enters with a sonic signature which is taken from your voice (usually but it’s not required) you cant get away from it until you leave the grounds. So stress not everyone it’s being used for good and for bad reasons, think satellites & super technologies designed to manage people. This is the best answer your ever gonna find on this topic it is a deep dark ops technology being deployed on people all over the world. I truly love people (because I am one for now) and as we all grow live and learn together I think it’s important to communicate what strange things that happen in our lives with each other over the net so we actually can find answers to deeply personal things such as this. The other thing that worries me is the use of Xray technologies at airports frequent commuters would have their life spans destroyed think about that and what it means. people carrying drugs & other contraband inside themselves are only small amounts and does not warrant the use of such cellular destroying rays on frequent international fliers. ( who are in their own right an economical & political backbone) weve got big problems coming up did anyone catch the news about the massive alien spaceship tinkering with the sun? incredible footage, it seemed to be injecting something into it they said Amazing. hold it together okay…secret mind link technology is about to jump in leaps & bounds it’s gonna be awesome. QFT…Oh Mr. Mooo, where are you? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/whats-this-strange-ticking-sound-in-my-house/534428.md?page=4)